LOC23:04
20:04 GMT
BAGHDAD, Dec 22 (KUNA) -- An Iraqi group leader was killed on Saturday
while leaving a mosque in western Baghdad, an Iraqi security official said.
An unidentified gunman shot dead a leader of the Al-Sahwa (Awakening)
Councils while he was leaving a mosque at Al-Jameaa Neighborhood in western
Baghdad, the source, on anonymity, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Al-Sahwa Councils are US-supported Iraqi groups set up to fight Al-Qaeda
militants in Iraq.
The perpetrators fled the site after they had assassinated the Al-Sawha
leader, only identified as Colonel Rabeaa.
Al-Sahwa Councils were set up by the Americans as an example of how Sunni
Arab Iraqis have united to combat Sunni Islamist Al-Qaeda group.
Early December, the Iraqi government unfolded a plan to integrate Al-Sahwa
Councils into Iraqi army and police forces pursuant to a program set by
commanders of the Operation Imposing Law.
A total of USD 123 million have been allocated for the implementation of
the plan, including pays and wages for members of those councils.
The group has actually managed to expel Al-Qaeda from Anbar, al-Ameriya and
al-Adhamiya. (end)
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